Journalist Alexandrani’s release cancelled, detention extended

A release previously granted to journalist and researcher Ismail Alexandrani was cancelled on Tuesday, after the court accepted the prosecution’s appeal. Alexandrani’s pre-trial detention was extended for another 45 days, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) said.

Alexandrani has spent nearly a year behind bars, and stands accused of publishing false news. He was granted a release on Sunday but the prosecution appealed the decision.

Although the prosecution has the right to appeal a release, it has been automatically appealing many verdicts. This has in some instances led to pre-trial detentions being extended beyond their legal limits.

Article 143 of the Egyptian penal code states that pre-trial detention may not exceed two years in a criminal case.

Alexandrani was arrested on 29 November 2015 at Hurghada airport as he returned from Berlin. According to the Arab Network for Human Rights Information, he was immediately taken to the state security prosecution headquarters in Cairo, where he was accused of belonging to an outlawed group and publishing false news.